New Outdoor Classroom Opens with Support from Alcoa Foundation

Students gathered beside Gibson Lake in early September as Pfeiffer University officially put its new outdoor classroom into use for the first time, marking another milestone in the launch of the University's Outdoor Education and Leadership program. The classroom was made possible through a grant from the Alcoa Foundation, whose investment helped support both curriculum development and the creation of the outdoor shared learning space for both campus and community groups.

Designed to bring learning beyond traditional classroom walls, the outdoor classroom features movable seating, portable instructional materials, storage for educational equipment, and a fire ring. The space was intentionally created to support hands-on learning, outdoor programming, leadership development, and experiential education in a natural setting. It will serve as a flexible learning environment for students across multiple academic disciplines, providing faculty with new opportunities to incorporate outdoor experiences into their teaching.

"This outdoor classroom expands how we think about teaching and learning at Pfeiffer," said Dr. Dawn Lucas, Dean of the Undergraduate College. "While it serves as a cornerstone of our new Outdoor Education and Leadership program, it also creates opportunities for students across disciplines to engage with course material in a more active, experiential environment. Whether studying science, education, leadership, or wellness, students can benefit from learning in a setting that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and connection with the natural world."

The new Outdoor Education and Leadership program is led by Dr. Alayna Schmidt, founding Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor. Through their studies, majors will develop practical outdoor skills while exploring leadership, experiential education, environmental science, and community engagement. Coursework includes subjects such as experiential education and wilderness leadership and emphasizes learning through direct experience and reflection.

Pfeiffer's 340-acre campus, coupled with its proximity to Morrow Mountain State Park, Uwharrie National Forest, Lake Tillery, Badin Lake, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center, provides students with access to diverse settings for outdoor learning experiences.

"The outdoor classroom represents more than a physical space," said Schmidt. "It serves as an invitation for students to engage deeply with the natural world, develop leadership skills through experience, and discover meaningful ways to serve others through outdoor education. It will also serve the connection and exploration of community groups" As the University celebrates the opening of the classroom, students are already utilizing the space for coursework and hands-on learning experiences. University leaders envision it becoming a vibrant hub for learning, reflection, collaboration, and discovery across a wide range of academic disciplines and community groups, further advancing Pfeiffer's commitment to experiential education.